Labor Day AC/DC News

Bon Scott and Angus Young rocking the crowd!

Hi folks,

A lot of stuff on my plate (as usual) but here's a quick roundup of the AC/DC headlines on this Labor Day weekend here in the States.

For starters, what would Labor Day be without a look back into the history of the band's hardworking days with the late, great Bon Scott?

In Let There Be Rock, Marky Billson spins the tale of AC/DC's very first American concert in Austin, TX at the Armadillo World Headquarters club on July 27, 1977. Would you believe AC/DC could be booked for a mere $1000 per show back then?

Anyway, that is a DO NOT MISS item so here's the link again for you dullards and drunkards.




Next up, is Phil Cashmere's assertion that the next big announcement from AC/DC will be regarding the inevitable Black Ice tour. Will it be, as he says, in Wilkes Barre, Pa. in October or does the band actually have other plans? From what I hear, AC/DC might not tour until 2009! After all, there is much work to be done by the boys what with videos and all the other assorted promotional business that comes with releasing a new CD.



Speaking of the new album, Brave Words, has been hyping audio clips of Angus Young and Brian Johnson speaking about Black Ice but, personally, I've no clue what Angus is referring to in his 10 second soundbite. Both very brief clips can be heard from their site. Brian does say the Black Ice will be great, but don't most bands say that before every new album/CD?

For those who want to rock out to Black Ice with the blue AC/DC logo on the CD cover, you're in luck as the AC/DC store has announced that for a mere $14.99 you can purchase a "limited edition hardcover deluxe package" which "features a 30-page expanded booklet with exclusive new illustrations, studio and live photographs of AC/DC." For my money, this is the way to go so, I'll be purchasing direct from them here and I advise you to do the same because this item will be a keeper, I'm sure.



Lastly, over the past several days I've been told by many fans that they actually prefer the infamous Rock N Roll Train demo to the real song! Now I wouldn't go nearly that far but has AC/DC really been out-riffed by a fan? I shudder to think this could be true, but you can compare the two versions yourself below.

Fan's Demo Version


AC/DC's Rock N Roll Train


So what do you think? As always, feel free to leave you comments below...

Well, that's all for now. Stay safe while you're partying and if you're feeling like you miss ol' Bon this weekend why not stop by and leave some thoughts at his online memorial?

Keep rockin, Jon

Best Since Back In Black?

Will Black Ice be the best album since Back In Black?

Australia's News.com had the privilege of listening to seven tracks off AC/DC's "Black Ice" earlier today and posted this intriguing review of what they heard.

From what I gather, they feel it's the best thing the band has done since Back In Black. Incidentally, the listening session took place at the world famous Alberts Records studio in Sydney where the group made many a monster recording back in the 70's. Anyway, here's a few selected excerpts from David Higgin's review to whet your appetite for full article.

Anything Goes has the potential to be the band’s biggest hit since You Shook Me All Night Long if released - under one plan - as a second single.

Opening with a guitar sound that recalls Bon Scott’s bagpipes in Long Way to the Top, Anything Goes is a delicious 1970s tune with blood-pumping, 2008 production values.

The Young brothers would disagree, but it is the closest thing to a pop song the band has done and will pull in many new fans.

The songs heard today draw from periods throughout the band’s career.

Black Ice is a head-banging anthem from the For Those About to Rock era, with a riff as good as any the Youngs have written.

War Machine is a hard and fast affair reminiscent of Back in Black’s Given The Dog a Bone.

Meanwhile, criticism of the band's deal with Wal-Mart continues to escalate, at least from some quarters. Goldmine Magazine issued this stinging shot the other day, calling it a "deal with the devil" while another columnist chastized AC/DC has having joined the "corporate rock crowd" which is a far cry from their days as rock's baddest rebels.



Of course, now that the first single has been released fans everywhere are clamoring even more for AC/DC to tour in their area. In fact, according to a recent poll out of Canada, newspaper readers there said that AC/DC is their #1 choice of bands to see on their Fall concert wish list.



Speaking of being #1, AC/DC is not far from it in terms of full album sales from the years 2006 to 2008 according to the Wall Street Journal. In fact, of all the bands in the world, only The Beatles sold more albums than AC/DC in the past 3 years! The Journal says that their success may be partly due to the fact that the group refuses to sell their songs individually through ITunes.




By the way, it looks like the AC/DC store is offering a great deal on a Black Ice Cd/No Bull Dvd (Director's cut) combo right now if you pre-order it directly from them. The regular package goes for $26 whilst the Blu-Ray edition will cost you $10 more. For your money, it appears you'll get a special blue colored AC/DC logo for your Black Ice Cd from that deal. Who's up for it?

In other items of interest, Don Jacobson of the Beachwood Reporter (who?) says "Rock 'N Roll Train" sounds 'exactly like every song AC/DC's done since Brian Johnson joined the band in 1980' but he questions if that's really a good thing or not. His review's kind of fun to read if you don't mind him taking a few pot-shots at your favorite band. Look here for a slighty different take on the song.




Last, but not in the least the least, ACDC.com has an innovative new feature on our favorite band called AC/DC 101. Described as a "crash course in the history of the world's most electrifying rock & roll band, AC/DC 101 provides you with a multimedia show while you read the official story of the lads from down under.

I haven't studied the site very closely but it does look like it will be great fun, especially for the younger fans among us. Wow, isn't it great that AC/DC seems to finally almost have a really decent web site and it's only 2008!

Well, folks, that's all I could find since last time so have a great weekend everybody and stay safe while you're out partying.

Keep rockin, Jon

PS> Thanks for all the great comments lately! Keep 'em coming, eh?

AC/DC's Rock 'N Roll Train Arrives!

For the first time in over 8 years a new AC/DC song has hit the airwaves all across the world.

"Rock 'N Roll Train," the first single, is one of 15 new songs from the new AC/DC album, "Black Ice," which is due to be released on October 20, 2008.

To mark the occasion, AC/DC's own website is streaming the song non-stop and radio stations, both online and traditional, have enthusiastically premiered the track at various special times throughout the morning to the delighted approval of fans around the globe.



I'll spare you fine folks a full review of the song except to say it has a very catchy opening riff and just what you'd want to hear from the often imitated but never duplicated, whiskey-throated voice of Brian Johnson. As usual, of course, Angus Young's guitar solo perfectly compliments Johnson's howls and the driving beat to the song's conclusion.






In other news, AC/DC's management was, apparently, not too happy that the three collectible covers for "Black Ice" were revealed here for the first time at AC/DC News.

Indeed, yours truly was on the receiving end of an email straight from the digital marketing wing of Columbia Records letting me know that there would be no screaming or hollering if I would just kindly tell them how the cover photos were obtained. Here's an excerpt from the actual email:

"Hey Jon how’s it going?

We love your blog and love what you’re doing for the guys and first and foremost want to say, keep up the good work.

We do have a question, though. We were wondering if a Sony person gave you those album covers or if you wouldn’t mind sharing where you found them. I promise we wont holler and scream. Its just the band’s manager is kind of curious and asked if we could ask you."

Well, guys, I'm not going to reveal the source. Sorry! But I do appreciate you announcing where the "Black Ice" covers could be seen. It warmed my heart to know that you care. Honestly.




Now that fans have heard the new track, they're anxiously awaiting the premiere of the "Rock 'N Roll Train" video. Most every true fan of the band would have loved to participate in the August 15th video shoot, of course, but only a lucky few got the chance.

Now, thanks to a couple of excellent online sources the rest of us can read about what it was like to actually be there on that special occasion. Do not miss MSN's AC/DC: still rocking after all these years for a full rewind of that evening and, also, Classic Rock Magazine's story, AC/DC's video shoot for their new Rock 'N' Roll Train single!




Lastly, but not least, Paul Cashmere of Undercover News has now explained the whole mystery behind the thirty second sound clip of "Rock 'N Roll Train that was unexplicably pulled from AC/DC's MySpace page two days ago.

Trust me, this interview with Paul on Melbourne's 3AW should not be missed!

Keep rockin, Jon

PS> How do you feel about "Rock 'N Roll Train?" Post your comments below...

Exclusive! The 3 Variations of Black Ice Artwork

AC/DC's Black Ice will be released approximately October 20th across the globe and now AC/DC News is pleased to show you the three different collectible covers fans can choose from when purchasing the CD.

Right away, you'll notice you have the choice of yellow, red, or white AC/DC logos but a closer study of each design reveals they're all somewhat different with the exception of Angus appearing at the top center inside a circle.

So which one do you like best? Or will you purchase all three to complete the collection?


In other newsworthy items, Undercover notes that Australian fans are so excited about AC/DC's upcoming release,"Black Ice," that they've put five albums from the band's back catalog on the record charts this week. Three from Bon Scott's era and two from Brian Johnson's, interestingly enough.

"On this week’s ARIA chart, AC/DC are at no. 47 with ‘TNT’, no. 61 with ‘Highway To Hell’, no. 62 with ‘Dirty Deeds Done Cheap’, no. 74 with ‘Who Made Who’ and no. 92 with ‘The Razor’s Edge’."


Lastly, for years, many fans have wanted "Mutt" Lange to produce another album for AC/DC. After all, it was Lange who produced the monster hits Highway To Hell, Back In Black, and For Those About To Rock with the lads from down under.

Indeed, Mutt was often rumored to be working with the band on what would eventually turn out to be "Black Ice." Of course, AC/DC eventually chose Brendan O'Brien for the job but now Rock Radio is reporting that Mutt Lange will be working with Nickleback on their sixth album.

Nickelback! Are you freakin' kidding me?!

Keep rockin, Jon

Mystery Riff Uploaded to AC/DC's MySpace Page!

Here's a new riff from AC/DC courtesy of their MySpace page.

Presumably, it's the opening to "Rock 'N' Roll Train," but they've not identified the track as of yet.

(Update: I've been told that fans who attended the video shoot say it is "Rock 'N' Roll Train," but I haven't independently confirmed this to be true.)

2nd Update: Looks like AC/DC's MySpace page took down the sound clip so here it is transferred to a video format. The copy doesn't sound as great but, at least, you'll get the general idea of the track.



In other news of note, Billboard posted a small preview of the "Black Ice" album earlier today. Here's some of what they had to say:

Elsewhere, "Big Jack" nods to the vintage major-key rocker "Who Made Who," while "Wheels" is a hands-in-the-air nod to old favorites such as "Highway to Hell" and "Givin' the Dog a Bone."

Frontman Brian Johnson is in fine form on tracks like "War Machine" ("Better watch your back and cover your tracks!," he warns), the sparse "Decibel," partially sung in his deep, natural voice, and the anthemic "Anything Goes."

"Black Ice" ends with its title track, an old-school blues rocker that finds Johnson growling, "I'll gouge your eyes out."

Sounds pretty good, eh?

Elsewhere, the UK division of SonyBMG has finally unveiled their rehearsal show contest page. Be sure to check out all the entries in their exclusive photo gallery!

Finally, anyone who's ever dreamed of being a long-haired, hard rocker will definitely enjoy Stephen McGinty's latest piece for The Scotsman in which he muses about the greatness of AC/DC and their headbanging demon, Angus Young.

Keep rockin, Jon

Latest AC/DC News Roundup

Lots of news items over the last couple of days so let's get right to it...

Bob Lefsetz, a music business writer for the last 20 years, claims to have listened to AC/DC's "Black Ice" album and has written an extremely positive review of it which you can read for yourself here. Apparentely, sliced bread has nothing on AC/DC's next record.

If you're a fan in the UK, be sure to sign up for AC/DC's UK Mailing List through SonyBMG. I've signed up as Alex O'Loughlin just so they know I''m serious about getting their newsletter.

The Adelaide International Guitar Festival is holding an "AC/DC We Salute You" concert on December 7 with the main-stage acts performing their favorite AC/DC songs as a way to close out the festival. Word has it that two ex-AC/DC members, Dave Evans and Mark Evans, will be part of that performance. After the show, both guys will surely commiserate on how much money they could be making now if they were still a part of the Young Brothers corporate team.

Speaking of Australia, Leaping Larry of WA Today has called for AC/DC to play at this coming year's AFL Grand Final. I second that notion and, further, I call upon the NFL to book AC/DC to perform at the halftime of the next Super Bowl. It's certainly high time that the most played band at football games across this nation be given the opportunity to really rock a Super Crowd.

AceFrehley140986 has been hailed a YouTube Genius by Defamer for his brilliant rendition of Runaway Train/Rock N Roll Train. Of course, I should remind readers that I called that same thing the other day when I stated the video was priceless and also said "Don Coleman, eat your mo'f*cking heart out." Well, apparently, this comment of mine so pissed off the President of the Don Coleman fan club that he/she actually wrote in to call me a geek and a loser.

Lastly, it was very quietly announced the other day that Arnaud Durieux flew to London "to document the first AC/DC video that has been shot in years." No word on on what "document" actually means but fans might remember Duriex as the co-writer of "AC/DC Maximum Rock and Roll," the dreadfully long (but most substantial) AC/DC bio yet written.

However, Durieux isn't the only AC/DC fan that wanted to capture memories of the "Rock 'N' Roll Train" video shoot as this Argentinian site has posted about a dozen photos from the day including shots of Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, and a very bleary looking Phil Rudd.

Well, that's about it for now but, as I post this, there are 59 days, 10 hours and 2 minutes left until Black Ice is unleashed upon the public.

Keep rockin, Jon

PS> Breaking news: Patrick Donovan and Andrew Murfett just wrote that AC/DC will tour Australia next year, possibly at Telstra Stadium (now known as ANZ Stadium according to Wackypedia.)

Fan's rendition of AC/DC's Rock N Roll Train

This is priceless...




Don Coleman, eat your mo'f*cking heart out!

PS> News.com.au even posted this guy's video!


Btw, Confessions of a Fanboy had a pretty nice piece on the new album and the whole Wal-Mart deal that you might want to read.

Keep rockin, Jon

AC/DC's "Black Ice" Revealed!

Albert Productions and SonyBMG Australia have announced the worldwide release of "Black Ice," the long awaited new studio album from AC/DC, on October 18.

"Black Ice," the first full-length studio album of all-new material from AC/DC since the release of "Stiff Upper Lip" in 2000, is the band’s debut album for Columbia Records, (New York Based label for SonyBMG) and their 18th for Australia’s Albert Productions.

Track Listing:
1. Rock ’n Roll Train
2. Skies On Fire
3. Big Jack
4. Anything Goes
5. War Machine
6. Smash N Grab
7. Spoilin’ For A Fight
8. Wheels
9. Decibel
10. Stormy May Day
11. She Likes Rock N Roll
12. Money Made
13. Rock N Roll Dream
14. Rocking All The Way
15. Black Ice

Fans of the band will, no doubt, be overjoyed to hear this official news. Especially considering the long wait they've endured since the band released "Stiff Upper Lip" way back at the turn of the century!

Several Australian newspapers and the major wire services covered the breaking news. Samples of which can be seen here, here and here. Entertainment news stalwart, Variety, even suggested that AC/DC might hit #1 with Black Ice.

It's also been officially confirmed that ""Rock 'N' Roll Train," the album's first single, will debut on August 28th and the video will premiere in September," according to AC/DC's MySpace page.

From the looks of things, it seems that Black Ice will be rolled out across the world two days earlier than it will be sold in the United States as Wal-Mart will not be releasing the album until October 20th according to ACDC.com and Wal-Mart's own special AC/DC page.

However, according to Web Wire, Wal-Mart will join with Columbia Records "to launch multiple activities for fans in celebration of the new CD album, including new product features and promotions to come this fall that will bring fans closer to one of history’s greatest rock bands."

Fans may pre-order "Black Ice" through Wal-Mart and AC/DC's own official store beginning today. Reportedly, the album will also be available through Sam's Clubs across the States. You'll have to pay at least $11.88 per CD for this exclusive deal, by the way.

In other news, AC/DC shot the video for "Rock 'N' Roll train on August 15 and a few of the details of that day were printed over at Metal Hammer.

Paul Cashmere of Undercover News also had a short piece on the making of the video which is worth a look, too.

One lucky fan who says he attended the video shoot has even posted a video on YouTube of himself singing the tune to "Rock 'N' Roll Train!" Check it out below...



The singing guy's video apparently inspired another fan to try and transcribe the tune so as to give us all a taste of what the song may sound like on guitar.



Are AC/DC fans a bit excited about Black Ice or what? And what will fans think of the new album's artwork? It's certainly a bit different than anything the band's ever put out before, don't you think? How do the song titles grab you, by the way?

Some of the titles sound quite unusual for AC/DC (Wheels, Stormy May Day, Smash N Grab). However, three of the songs have the words "Rock 'N' Roll" right in the title which obviously reminds us what AC/DC is really about.

So what do you think about Black Ice so far? Are you ready to rock out with AC/DC again? Feel free to leave your comments below.

Keep rockin, Jon

PS> This just in: The fine folks at The Consumerist have posted a very short piece mentioning AC/DC's involvement with Wal-Mart. Read what fans have to say about the deal here.

Rolling Stone Likes The New AC/DC Album???

Fans of this blog probably realize that I think the opinions of Rolling Stone Magazine are virtually worthless when they're reviewing AC/DC's (or anybody's) music. However, they posted an early mini-review yesterday of the new album, Black Ice, in their latest issue that has shocked and awed many an AC/DC fan on the interwebs.

Sweet vindication! Last year in this column, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson promised that they’d tour in 2008. Well, he wasn’t kidding. Soon they’ll begin rehearsals in a secret location, before hitting U.S. arenas in late fall. We heard this news at the Sony HQ on New York’s Madison Avenue, before hearing all 15 tracks of the band’s earthshaking new Black Ice, recorded in Vancouver in just eight weeks with Brendan O’Brien. On it, Brian wails about skies on fire, blood in his eyes, storms raging, lightning flashes, hard rain and pretty women. Angus Young shreds throughout (we dig his slide work on “Decibel”), and the rhythm cats — Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams and Phil Rudd — are solid as a rock. The first single is “Rock ‘N Roll Train”; “She Likes Rock ‘N Roll” will be a stripper anthem; and “War Machine” (our favorite) will tear you to pieces.

So what does this really mean? Is the new album kickass like Back In Black kind of kickass or is this just hype intended to sell magazines to middle-aged AC/DC fans? I guess we'll have to wait and see for ourselves but the new songs certainly sound promising, don't they?

Well, I guess they should be awesome songs considering all the time it took the band to produce a new album (8 years!).

Anyway, the song title "Rock 'N Roll Train" is now back on the table, apparently, though Undercover News said earlier it would be called "Runaway Train."

Perhaps some lucky fan who participated in yesterday's video shoot in London will fill us in on what song they heard so as to clear up this confusion? I hope so...

Btw, Rolling Stone certainly liked the song "War Machine" which makes me wonder if the lyrics to it reflect some sort of leftist leaning, anti-Bush kind of message.

Hmm, wouldn't that be interesting if AC/DC got a little political like they did when they wrote "Burnin' Alive" which was apparently about the Waco incident?

-



In other AC/DC News, I've neglected to mention that a Director's Cut of the "No Bull" DVD is coming to the Blu-Ray on September 9th which will also include the following, according to Undercover News.

The new version of the disc will include the previously unreleased live versions of `Cover You In Oil` from Gothenburg, Sweden and `Down Payment Blues` recorded in Daytona, USA.

The Blu-Ray disc has also been updated to include `Angusvision` for the tracks `Shoot To Thrill`, `Hail Caesar`, `Rock and Roll Ain`t Noise Pollution` and `You Shook Me All Night Long`. On these tracks, you`ll see what Angus Young was seeing.

There's a nice promo site set up for it on ACDCrocks.com right now if you'd like to pay them a visit, btw.

-


Lastly, a Swedish publication has posted a rumor (supposedly from someone in the band's production company) that AC/DC will play Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden sometime during the Summer of 2009. Read it for yourself here in Swedish or in Google-translated English.

Keep rockin, Jon

See AC/DC Rocking In The USA!

The UK arm of SonyBMG Music announced yesterday that they're giving away an 'amazing trip of a lifetime' to one lucky fan (and a friend) to see AC/DC perform a special dress rehearsal show in the USA. No exact word on when that will be but to enter the contest all you would have to do is:

a] Go to the Reading or Leeds festivals.
b] Find the poster of the Angus Young's head somewhere at the festival site
c] Pose beneath it in your coolest Angus Young/air guitar pose

Upload the picture to the bands UK page on the official site (being built now!). In any case more details coming soon so make sure you keep an eye out for more information...!

My guess is that this contest will only be open to UK residents that are 18 years or older but SonyBMG could always pull a surprise. - Jon

Latest AC/DC tidbits...

Sony BMG has sent out a second notice asking fans to enter the contest to appear in the next AC/DC video which will be filmed this Friday in London. Apparently, though, you may not wear a Wal-Mart Sucks T-shirt to the event so don't even try.

Sharon Osbourne (of Ozzy Osbourne fame) just said she'd like AC/DC to head the the line-up for next years Ozzfest. Of course, who can forget the infamous egg-throwing incident a couple of years back when she got mad at Iron Maiden. Boy, I'd sure like to see her and Malcolm have a go at each other but, as one wag on Blabbermouth said, "AC/DC might have to get permission from Wal-Mart" first.

In happier news, Paul Cashmere confirmed that "AC/DC will film the video for `Runaway Train`, the first single from the `Black Ice` album this Friday in London." There had been a lot of speculation as to the exact title of the new song but, hopefully, this will clear up the truth as Mr. Cashmere is not wrong very often.

Fans in Romania have launched an online petition to bring AC/DC to their fair country on the new tour. I can't read Romanian but I think it says something like 'Please come see us. We will grovel at your feet if you do." Anyway, they've got about 1800 signatures already so, let's hope for them that they get their wish.

Personally, I'm hoping AC/DC will play China because I've never been and I hear the whole smog problem is way overblown despite what our friends in Britain believe.

Keep rockin, Jon

UK fans invited to be AC/DC's next video

AC/DC is inviting their biggest fans to compete for a chance to appear in their next video that will be filmed somewhere in Central London on August 15 from 3pm to Midnight.

Apparently, 150 lucky fans will be chosen from all the entrants who fill out this form which appears on Sony Record's AC/DC site. All you need do is give them a bit of your personal information and answer the question, "Why are you AC/DC's biggest fan?"

Please note, however, that according to the official rules "Entry is only open to residents of the United Kingdom over the age of 18. For the complete contest terms, read the legal lingo here.

In other AC/DC tidbits, there's an excellent video interview that Kurt Loder did with Malcolm, Angus, and Brian in August of 2003 that was recently posted at MTV News. Do not miss it!

Keep rockin, Jon

The Guardian Spanks AC/DC

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap?
Just out today is a scathing new opinion piece on AC/DC's deal with the devil (Wal-Mart) by Ian Winwood of the Guardian. I don't normally print articles in their entirety but this one deserves a full airing.

Rock'n'roll damnation - Wal-Mart style

AC/DC are the latest band to sell their album exclusively in Wal-Mart. Are they helping to sell rock down the river?

August 5, 2008 11:20 AM

Back in 1979, AC/DC managed to shock America's religious right with a song so delicious that no normal person could possibly resist it. Highway To Hell still makes the shortlist for both the world's greatest riff and most irresistible chorus. The album that spawned it displayed "schoolboy" guitarist Angus Young sporting horns and a tail. Not amused, the barmy armies of the Bible Belt burned the LP in the streets.

Twenty-nine years later, AC/DC might actually be on their way to Hell. The group have revealed that their forthcoming album will be available in the US only at branches of Wal-Mart. No independent record shop will carry the CD - in fact, no shop at all will sell it. The only place the thing will be available is at an outlet that is the very enemy of music itself.

If you don't know, Wal-Mart is a chain of stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap megastores, often found on the outskirts of US towns and cities. The company has a litany of employment-right lawsuits stacked against it, and their stores are usually surrounded by high streets, deserted by businesses that could no longer afford to compete with the chain's cheap prices.

You could say that this is just business, but if you do plan to defend Wal-Mart, you need to first wrestle with their music policy. The company refuses to carry any album that features a parental advisory sticker denoting explicit content. The chain will stock "clean" versions of albums, which means either bleeping or fading out "offensive" words. If you find "censorship" to be an offensive word, tough shit luck.

It's disgraceful that a company neck-deep in questionable business practices dares to take a stance on artistic morality. But what's really amazing is that AC/DC should choose to be party to it. They don't need the money - with 22 million copies sold, Back in Black is the fifth best selling album in US chart history - and they don't need the exposure.

That a band who once sang For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) should now sell their fellow artists down the river denotes a very cold day on the highway to hell.

The Guardian

New AC/DC Album Demo Clips Online?

A YouTube user named Halogen909 has uploaded a couple of short audio clips which he claims were taken from demos of songs that will be included on the forthcoming AC/DC album release, Black Ice.

Have a listen and judge for yourself whether or not there's any truth to what he claims...

AC/DC Cut & Run - new 2008


ACDC - new album clip 2008


Meanwhile, different sources have stated that AC/DC will either open their new tour in Chicago, IL on Halloween Night or in Wilkes Barre, Pa (date unknown). The Chicago rumor was apparently reported on The Pulse of Radio but I'd stick to the more reliable writers from Billboard and guess that Pennsylvania will be the first state to actually host the Black Ice tour.

In other developments, The Pulse of Radio has also reported that the new CD release date has been pushed up to Oct 21, 2008 (from October 28). If true, that could be a good sign that this will be a kick-ass album as most releases don't normally get pushed out early unless they're either expected to be huge sellers or the record company is worried about the new material being leaked online (which is doubtful in AC/DC's case as they are well known for keeping tight control of their studio recordings).

Lastly, word has it that AC/DC will be in London sometime in August to shoot one of the videos for a new single. Don't ask me which song, however, as who knows what tracks will even be on the recording at this point. Let's just hope that the boys will do a little bit of acting in this one like that great video they once did for "You Shook Me All Night Long."


Keep rockin, Jon